BANGKOK, Jan 4 – The Bt20 promotion fare for the airport rail link service between the city centre and Suvarnabhumi airport which expired on Monday will not be extended, according to an executive of the state corporation.
Chamroon Tangpaisarnkit, chairman of the SRT Electrified Train (SRTET) which operates the airport link, said the collection of Bt20 fares in the 11am-2 pm timeframe from September 30-December 31 last year had not significantly increased the number of passengers but instead created a monthly loss of Bt1.8 million.
The marketing department was instructed to come up with a new promotion to attract more passengers, he said, adding that the Bt20 promotional fare will be suspended temporarily.
Unlike the Skytrain, widely known as BTS, which runs in the city centre, the airport link operates in the suburbs and is crowded during the morning and evening rush hours, Mr Chamroon said.
He predicted more airport link passengers this year after an improvement of facilities at most stations.
The improved facilities include more elevators at stations, expansion of entrances and exits at Makkasan station and construction of a walkway connection between the airport link and underground train at Petchburi station.
SRTET has also sought permission from the Airports of Thailand to sell airport link tickets at Suvarnabhumi airport’s arrival hall to attract more passengers, he said.
